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Legal framework for sustainable development and current global challenges
Get PDFThe subject of the article is the formation of the legal framework for sustainable development in the context of modern global challenges. The subject of the legal framework is the social relations of sustainable development, which are regulated by separate branches of law, but in the aggregate form a separate branch of law. The legal foundations of sustainable development, formed under the influence of international cooperation processes, are currently exposed to new threats-illegitimate economic restrictions that call into question the previously stated goals of sustainable development. The purpose of the article is to review the current state and prospects for the development of the legal framework in the context of both traditional threats and new challenges caused by the external restrictions since 2014, and to assess the prospects for sustainable development in Russia. The main research method is the study of international and Russian scientific research literature, analytical and review materials from open sources using induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis and the method of analogies. In preparing the article, historical, statistical, system-structural and causal research methods were also used. It has been proved that the first year of the functioning of the national economy under the newly introduced sanctions in 2022 showed both their negative impact and a certain adaptive potential of the economic system and companies. The article is focused on the prerequisites for the formation, essence and subject of sustainable development law, as well as on methods of legal regulation and examples of legal mechanisms for incorporating sustainable development factors into business practices. The article raises the question of the legitimacy of unilateral economic sanctions from the point of view of international law. The article also assesses the impact of sanctions on the activities of companies and their commitment to the principles of sustainable development. The conclusion is made that business community considers the mechanisms of legal regulation of sustainable development as anti-crisis measures and considers those mechanisms to be expedient and justified in the long term to pursue a policy of maintaining a commitment to sustainable development and finding ways to overcome sanctions pressure
Mapping the gender transformations for sustainable energy sector organizations in Ghana
Get PDFEnergy organizations are undergoing gender transformations due to globalization, environmental changes, and sustainability. The Ghanaian energy organizations are dominated by male and masculine cultures. Women are few in the sector and active in the lower-paid, non-technical fields. Due to their minority status, collective frustration with expectations and aspirations motivated gender transformations in the energy sector of Ghana. Deploying a multiple case study design coupled with a qualitative approach, the paper found collective effort in promoting women in the energy sector of Ghana. A regime of expert platforms made up of ‘sisters in energy solidarity’ was also found, adopting gender strategic measures such as networking, mentorship, coaching programme, advocacy, and gender equity-driven energy initiatives aimed at re-engineering a shift in gender dynamics in the energy jobs of Ghana. This gender transformative regime among the energy work organizations implies inclusivity, diversity, alleviating women’s energy poverty, and a move towards achieving modern organizational status among the energy organizations in Ghana
Functional, antioxidant and organoleptic study of sauces prepared with Spondias dulcis forst (amra): An underutilized fruit
Get PDFIn the present study, the underrated fruits of Spondias dulcis frost were utilized for the development of unconventional sauces. Two distinct sauces were prepared: one using the pulp of semi-ripened Amra fruit, and the other using its peels. The homogenized ingredients were cooked in an open vessel. Both sauces exhibited dose-dependent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) reduction. The R-values of the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of Amra peels and pulp sauces were found to be 0.9873 and 0.9759, respectively. The sauce made with the pulp of fruit showed a significantly stable emulsion and lower syneresis values, whereas the sauce prepared with fruit peels was more astringent with a significantly higher titratable acidity (p < 0.05). The mineral content and brix of sauce made with fruit pulp were found to be significantly higher. The sensory characteristics of both sauces were found acceptable by sensory assessors. However, the taste of pulp sauce was found to be significantly better than that of fruit peel sauce. The findings suggest that the pulp and peels of Amra fruits could be employed for the development of antioxidant-rich sauces; however, the application of Amra peels for the formulation of potential value-added sauces, jams, and other condiments would reduce manufacturing waste and cost
Analyzing the factors affecting the use behavior of the SIRADI system through behavioral intention as the mediating variable using the UTAUT 2 model
Get PDFThis study aimed to examine the effects of the independent variables, i.e., performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and habit, on the dependent variable, SIRADI’s use of behavior through behavioral intention as a mediating variable. The population was 350 Department of Economics Education students, and the Slovin formula calculated 187 respondents. Data are collected by distributing questionnaires and analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Model) with the Smart-PLS 3.3 application. The results showed that the study model used was valid and reliable. Based on the hypothesis test, it was found that of the 13 hypotheses, eight were accepted and five were rejected. Social influence has the most significant effect on behavioral intention at 40.4%. Habit has the most significant effect on SIRADI’s use behavior, at 32.7%. Then, behavioral intention as a mediating decreases the effect of habit on SIRADI’s user behavior by 13.4%. This study concludes that there is a partial effect of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and habits on SIRADI’s use behavior. This study suggests that the higher education institution needs to review the development of services at SIRADI to fulfill the expectations of its users
Wavelet transform based image enhancement: A noise reduction approach
Get PDFThis paper introduces a new thresholding function that mixes the soft thresholding functions and Smoothly Clipped Absolute Deviation (SCAD) for denoising images using the decimated wavelet transform technique, which is widely popular in various applications. The proposed method is applied to denoise noisy images contaminated with additive white Gaussian noise, employing the Top rule. The efficiency of this new thresholding function is also evaluated within the context of the Translation Invariant method. The results are compared with existing methods such as SCAD, soft thresholding, and the Wiener filter-based denoising approach. Parameters such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Peak Signal Noise Ratio (PSNR) are employed to assess the quality of denoising
Inhomogeneous spatial patterns in diffusive predator-prey system with spatial memory and predator-taxis
Get PDFIn this paper, by introducing predator-taxis into the diffusive predator-prey system with spatial memory, then we study the inhomogeneous spatial patterns of this system. Since in this system, the memory delay appears in the diffusion term, and the diffusion term is nonlinear, the classical normal form of Hopf bifurcation for the reaction-diffusion system with delay can’t be applied to this system. Thus, in this paper, we first derive an algorithm for calculating the normal form of Hopf bifurcation for this system. Then in order to illustrate the effectiveness of our newly developed algorithm, we consider the diffusive Holling-Tanner model with spatial memory and predator-taxis. The stability and Hopf bifurcation analysis of this model are investigated, and the direction and stability of Hopf bifurcation periodic solution are also studied by using our newly developed algorithm for calculating the normal form of Hopf bifurcation. At last, we carry out some numerical simulations to verify our theoretical analysis results, and two stable spatially inhomogeneous periodic solutions corresponding to the mode-1 and mode-2 Hopf bifurcations are found
Collection and analysis of narratives for a values charter of the Italian society for hospital pharmacy
Get PDFIn recent years, the field of Narrative Pharmacy was introduced, which particularly addresses the pharmacist not only to guide a relationship of listening to and caring for the patient but also to strengthen and motivate toward the profession, improve relationships with colleagues, enhance the ability to teamwork, and understand emotions. In this paper, we report the analysis behind the construction of the Value Chart from the personal narratives of members of the Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacy. Each member’s subjective professional experiences and their own view of themselves within society were collected through a semi-structured interview. Personal thinking, including experiences, feelings, opinions, desires, and regrets was classified by objective methods, from which main concepts were extracted for the Value Chart. The feedback to the survey, including activities during the Covid-19 pandemic management, is classified according to the analytical methods of Kleinman, Frank, Bury and Launer-Robinson. Regarding sentiment analysis, the emotional and subjective context of the text provides an ideal baseline to validate the result. The analysis was implemented using neural networks trained on dictionaries and natural language (i.e., Tweets). The originality of the work lies in the fact that generally value charters are built on a Society’s values. In contrast, in this case, individual contributions were gathered to complement the ethical values on which the society is founded
Efficacy of Songling Xuemaikang Capsule on Essential Hypertension, as Monitored on Ambulatory Basis: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
No full textObjective: To investigate the efficacy of Songling Xuemaikang Capsule (SXC) on essential hypertension, as monitored on ambulatory basis. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were obtained via a systematic search of several databases. The results were pooled with a randomized or a fixed-effect model, according to the heterogeneity. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used for quality assessment. Results: Thirteen RCTs with 1092 essential hypertension (EH) patients were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with Losartan, SXC was less effective at reducing 24-hour average systolic blood pressure (ASBP, weighted mean difference (WMD): 1.80 mmHg, p = 0.04). SXC combined with other anti-hypertensives significantly reduced ADBP (average diastolic BP) during the daytime (WMD: –1.24 mmHg, p < 0.0001) and systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) during the nighttime (SMD: –0.58, p < 0.00001), compared to anti-hypertensives alone. Subgroup analyses showed that the combination of SXC and Amlodipine achieved significantly better control of 24-hour ASBP and ADBP (p < 0.05) compared to Amlodipine alone. The combination of SXC and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) achieved significantly better control of 24-hour ASBP and ASBP during both the daytime and nighttime, compared to ACEI alone (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The combination of SXC and Amlodipine Besylate significantly reduced 24-hour ASBP and ADBP. Due to the modest quality of the RCTs included in this meta-analysis, more rigorously designed studies are needed
Potential Role of Zinc, an Essential Trace Element with Antioxidant Properties in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19
No full textBackground: The global pandemic instigated by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has intensified the quest for efficacious preventive and therapeutic solutions. Zinc, an essential trace element known for its antioxidant properties, has emerged as a potential player. Objective: This review aims to scrutinize the role of Zinc, focusing on its antioxidant capacities, in the prevention and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), elucidating the mechanisms by which it may impede the progression and severity of the disease. Methods: Comprehensive data were gleaned from various clinical trials, research publications, and observational studies exploring the interaction between Zinc and SARS-CoV-2. The review evaluates both the direct antiviral effects of Zinc and its impact on host immune responses. Results: Initial research indicates that Zinc could interfere with specific phases of the SARS-CoV-2 viruss life cycle, such as its entry into cells and subsequent replication. This effect may be due to Zincs ability to reduce the activity of certain viral proteins. These include the interaction between the viruss Spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor on human cells, and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme essential for viral replication. Additionally, Zincs antioxidant properties are pivotal in bolstering the hosts immune response, mitigating oxidative stress, and reducing the severity of inflammatory cascades associated with severe COVID-19 presentations. Conclusions: The multifaceted roles of Zinc, particularly its antioxidant capabilities, underscore its potential significance in the prophylaxis and therapeutic management of COVID-19. Further rigorous clinical studies are imperative to delineate the optimal dosing, timing, and synergistic interventions that can maximize Zincs therapeutic benefits against the disease
Effect of Dexmedetomidine Combined with Sevoflurane in Anesthesia on Immune Function and Stress Response in Patients Undergoing Artificial Hip Replacement
No full textBackground: Dexmedetomidine and sevoflurane are anesthetics widely used in clinical practice, but the effect of their combined application on artificial hip replacement is not clear. This study explored and analyzed the effects of this program on the immune function and stress response of patients, in order to provide more directions for the formulation and selection of anesthetic plans. Methods: The study selected the medical records of 160 patients undergoing artificial hip replacement in our hospital from November 2020 to November 2022 for retrospective analysis. According to the different anesthetic plans, the patients were divided into the study group (SG, 83 patients receiving dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane in anesthesia) and the reference group (RG, 77 patients receiving sevoflurane anesthesia) to compare the immune function indexes, anesthesia monitoring indexes, postoperative recovery indexes, stress response indexes, and postoperative complications between the two groups. Results: The SG had lower heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure at extubation (T1) and 30 min after extubation (T2) than the RG (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in respiratory rate and pulse blood oxygen saturation (p > 0.05). The SG had distinctly lower postoperative awakening time and hospitalization time than the RG (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the activities of daily living scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). The SG had remarkably higher levels of serum immunoglobulin, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ than the RG after surgery (p < 0.05). In contrast, the SG had notably lower levels of HR, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol than the RG (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine combined with sevoflurane is an efficient and safe anesthetic scheme for artificial hip replacement. It not only has little effect on the immune function of patients but also can reduce the stress response of the human body, providing strong support for a smooth surgical procedure